Q.An antique dealer in New Mexico gave this trunk to my mother when I was born in 1972. The leather handles have deteriorated and there are some dings. The inside is in very good shape. Can you tell me when it might have been made?J.A., SE Portland

A. Your round-top trunk (also called a barrel, camel back or hump back trunk) was in vogue in America from the mid 19th century to the late 1890s. It was a favorite for women’s clothing and large hats, with the rounded top meant to shed water and dust during travel. The trunks were often adorned with leather, metal and wood. The inside appears to have the original paper lining but it is hard to determine whether the lift-out shelf is still present. These trunks are very decorative and have nice age but are not rare. You would expect to see this priced in a nice antique shop from $250-$350 and would hope for an auction price of $120-$200.

Q.Can you give me any information on my betel box? Is this an old piece and is it worth much? M.B., SW Portland

A. Your East Asian-style betel box was made in the 19th century and nearly identical examples sell at auction on a regular basis. A mild stimulant, betel has been the everyday social lubricant for thousands of years in many Asian countries. Indians and Southeast Asians developed elaborate betel nut sets to hold the paan, or betel mixture, that usually is made of betel leaves, the nuts from the areca tree, slaked lime and sometimes tobacco. Regular betel use stains the teeth dark red. This box would sell at retail for $300-$600 and for $100-$300 at auction.

Q.The bottom of this teapot reads “James Dixon and sons 8858.” I’m not sure how old it is and would like to know where it was made and how much it might be worth.M.B., SW PortlandA. Your late 19th century teapot is probably either pewter or a base metal. It was made by J. Dixon & Sons, a British company founded in 1806 and well known for its metal wares and high quality whistles. The company closed in 1992. Dixon & Sons was the best-known manufacturer of Britannia metal, a pewter-like alloy that can be plated in different metals. The Oscar statuettes are made of Britannia metal, which is then plated in copper, nickel, silver and finally 24-karat gold. Your teapot has decorative value, but most consumers today would not use it to serve tea. A retail price would be $60-$80 and auction value would be $30-$40.

Q. This set of prints of Henry Miller watercolors was printed by a small specialty press in 1970 and sold in a hand-made box in limited editions. The whole presentation included Miller’s book, "Insomnia or the Devil at Large." My set is Edition G and contains, in addition to nine unsigned prints, four prints that Miller counter-signed. S. P., Palm Springs, Calif.

A. Miller’s prints are often priced at thousands in art galleries, but it is rare that a print — no matter its origin — will bring more than a tenth of those prices at auction. Despite the fact that this is a limited edition and comes in its original box, the auction price would likely be no more than $300. Unfortunately, this is common in the art world, where gallery prices are vastly inflated over auction sales.

Q. I inherited this lamp from my mother, who told me that it was an old English street lamp fixture modified to an electric lamp by 1970, when it came into the family through an interior decorator. It measures 18 inches tall and 18 1/2 inches in diameter at the base. I don't know what value this piece has and would greatly appreciate some assistance.J. F., SW Portland

A. Lighting is collectible by category, such as cranberry glass or bronze; by type, such as oil or electric; and by maker, such as Aladdin or Tiffany. Collectors who are interested in outdoor lights are most often looking for the big, ornate pieces with large glass globes and fanciful decoration. Your streetlight is a great hanging ceiling fixture, but is not highly collectible. A retail price would be $450-$550 and an auction sale would like be $50-$150.

ABOUT COLLECTIBLESThe values of items featured in the collectibles column are estimated by Portland appraiser Terra Goodman, who is accredited in appraisal practice, theory and law as well as product knowledge, ethics and proper appraisal procedures. She is certified in fine and decorative arts through Sotheby's Auction House, where she studied American and European furniture and decorative arts. Goodman is the only Sotheby's, New York-trained appraiser in the Portland area.

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